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Bomb Likely Planted to Detonate During Charity Run Explodes Without Causing Injuries; Donald Trump Makes Comment on Hillary Clinton's Security Detail Disarming; Police Officers and Civilians Shot in Philadelphia; Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates Writes Op- Ed Critical of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; Suspected Serial Killer Caught after Kidnapped Woman Calls 911; President and First Lady Campaign for Hillary Clinton; Emmy Awards Show Nominees Profiled. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired September 17, 2016 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: -- people a day visiting the country's newest treasure chest of American history.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: So I will find out tonight what that is going to be like. Tonight a special viewing for the many people who donated so many priceless pieces. The museum opens to the public next Saturday, September 24th.

The next hour of the CNN Newsroom starts right now.

And hello again. We are following breaking news. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We are now learning that an explosion along a race route in Seaside Park, New Jersey, was caused by multiple devices. The explosion went off near the Marine charity 5k run. Law enforcement there were multiple timed devices but only one detonated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL DELLA FAVE, OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S SPOKESMAN: The U.S. Marines were to have this Semper Fi charity run. Fortunately with added registrations, a really great turnout, the start of the race was delayed. That explosion took place along the run route. It was on D Street at Ocean Avenue. And because of that delay, there probably would have been a good number of people running past that trash can when it went off. So we had no injuries and no damage to any other structures.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was found inside that crash can?

DELLA FAVE: Right now what they are telling preliminarily it's pipe bomb type device. There were multiple devices wired together. The one went off and the others did not. So the New Jersey State Police are up there now examining the additional boxes and making them safe. We have evacuated a four block area around that perimeter to make sure that no issues to any individuals that live within that area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You said multiple devices wired together. How many devices are we talking about?

DELLA FAVE: I have been told anywhere from three to three additional pipe bomb type devices that were wired together to the additional explosion that went off. Again, that won't be specifically able to say until the investigation continues.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are investigators treating this as a remote or a time detonation of this device to coincide with the runners that were supposed to be running past, the marines, their families, their friends running past that area when it went off?

DELLA FAVE: What the intentions are of the individual we don't know at this point, whether it is criminal or terroristic. It is obviously it was meant to affect the run, the fact that it went off at 9:35.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any other devices found along the route, or just inside that trash bin?

DELLA FAVE: Right after the incident took place, immediately put the air why on lockdown. They brought in bomb dogs from surrounding areas. Those bomb dogs have completed their sweep. There's no additional devices found. Actually in Seaside they are continuing their barbeque fest. That's going on without a hitch. But in this area, until the bomb squad gives us the all-clear in terms of that garbage pail, we are going to keep things closed off.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is Saturday, it's a beautiful day, and people are being kept off the beach in Seaside Park. When will those restrictions be lifted for people that want to come down to the beach?

DELLA FAVE: That's hard to say. It is a real shame that that charitable run that does such great things for the marines is now canceled. There is no word on if it will be rescheduled. But That's where we are right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you believe this was a deliberate, targeted attack towards our military and their families here in Ocean County and Seaside Park?

DELLA FAVE: I think we can assume that considering the location of the device, as I said, right along the run route where if it was just a matter of minutes in terms of difference, there would have been a good number of people running past that explosive device.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you consider this a terror attack here in Ocean County?

DELLA FAVE: Again, motives, that will come as the investigation moves forward. We are lucky enough that already on scene we have the FBI, the ATF, the New Jersey state police, a real good number of partners, even the local Ocean County Sheriff's Department CSI folks are on scene to help us gather as much information as possible.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: OK, we have got two people with us onw, CNN Crime and Justice Producer Shimon Prokapetz, and senior law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes both with me now on the line to talk more about this. So Tom, quickly, your reaction to what we're hearing here? Multiple devices, one goes off, thankfully no reported injuries. What do you, and how do you assess this?

TOM FUENTES, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, I think it appears to be everybody is very lucky, Fredricka, that the race got delayed and you didn't have a street full of runners in close proximity to that garbage can that blew up and that only one of multiple devices actually detonated.

[14:05:07] So had all the two or three devices gone off together and had runners then been nearby, we could have had either fatalities or at least serious injuries.

WHITFIELD: Shimon Prokupecz, let me bring you back here. You just got off the phone with a source. What are you learning about this?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ (via telephone): So the devices appear to be metal. Sometimes we talk about pipe bombs and they could be PVC, like plastic material. This appears to be metal. At least one of the devices has now been rendered safe, but I think they are now in the process of working through the other devices and still trying to really figure out what they have he.

I have heard different descriptions of the devices from different law enforcement folks. But the latest guidance that I've been given was that they appear to be metal, multiple sort of metal pipes that are sort of somehow put together to probably cause serious damage. And luckily it appears that only one of them went off.

And there are some questions about how this went off. Was there a timer? Was it remotely detonated? More appear to be timer then remotely detonated because whoever put this there and did it probably wanted to cause some harm and would have seen no one was passing by and so would not have detonated this. So they think this was on a timer. But again, they are still working through it. It is going to be a little painstaking. They have to be careful. Bomb squad technicians working this are sort of trying to be careful and they have to watch for their own safety and to make sure nothing explodes while they are working on it. And then once they get everything they can look at it and see exactly what it is, what it's made off, what kind of explosives they are dealing, what kind of or material is in these bombs. So right now the main focus is to make the area safe, Fred.

WHITFIELD: And so, Tom, very early stages of the investigation here, but to hear that type of information from Shimon that there were metal pieces. Of course, you hear about explosive devices and a run that attracts a lot of people, minds automatically go to the Boston Marathon and what took place there. And we've since learned pressure cooker type device that were homemade. How will investigators move forward on the origins of this bomb-making knowing there is a metal component here?

FUENTES: They will be trying to look at how it was assembled and if there had been are other similar bombs either detonated or neutralized in the past that are made in the same fashion. If they are pipe bombs, that's a very basic type of bomb to make. All of the components are readily available at your local home supply store. So if someone has just a rudimentary knowledge of explosives they could put a device like that together.

We don't know if they had a sophisticated timing device of any kind or could be detonated by a cellphone or that. They will learn that shortly in the investigation with all of the piece, especially because the components that they have that were not exploded will be easily examined as well.

But the other thing they will be looking at closely is any claims or any threats that may have been put out on social media preceding the race or in the aftermath of it, that someone is trying to take credit for or trying to get their 15 minutes of fame for having made the bomb go off. And at least even though it didn't hurt somebody, at least it went off. Someone may be wanting credit for that.

WHITFIELD: And then Shimon, one more time on the multiple device. It seems a little confusing to hear there are multiple devices and then some are wired together. Are we talking about multiple devices, meaning they are scattered in different geographic locations along this presumed run route?

PROKUPECZ: Right. So I am not getting the sense this is all along the route, there are multiple devices along the route. I think this is all contained to one area, this garbage can, which had all the devices in it. So it's one area, one location along the route where they found the other devices sort of attached.

The way it was described to me, I know the one occasion who we spoke to on the air said that they were wired together. I haven't heard that description from anyone. All I keep hearing is multiple devices put together. I don't know how they were put together, but they were all in one area, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, Shimon Prokupecz, Tom Fuentes, thank you so much. We will continue to follow this developing, breaking story about this explosive devices, one detonating there along a marine 5k run in Seaside Park, New Jersey.

[14:10:03] We'll have more information as we get it. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Washington, D.C.

So we begin with the 2016 race, and the presidential election now less than 52 days away. Democrats on the stump for Hillary Clinton and doubling down in the battleground state of Ohio, Elizabeth Warren speaking this hour in the buckeye capital of Columbus, while former rival Bernie Sanders reaches out to the millennials and young voters who fueled his campaign. Sanders in Akron earlier today in Ohio tearing into Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I) VERMONT: In this country, we cannot allow bigotry to prevail, which is why we are all going to do everything we can to see that Donald Trump is defeated and Hillary Clinton is elected president.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Tonight Hillary Clinton speaks at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner. She will be joined by President Barack Obama. And this hour Trump breaks bread with a group fighting against illegal immigration. He is at a luncheon honoring Americans killed by undocumented immigrants.

As senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, is in Houston for the Trump event, the luncheon underway. Donald Trump hasn't yet begun speak. But, Jim, you tell us what's happening and what actually is expected.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Sure. Yes, and you got it, Fredricka. Both of these candidates are speaking to their core constituencies today. Donald Trump is going to be coming out in just a few moments to talk to this organization of families of victims who were killed by undocumented immigrants.

On the stage right now is Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. He is well-known in conservative circles as fierce anti-immigration illegal activist. So you're going to hear Donald Trump talk a lot about building that wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, talking about his plans for dealing with undocumented immigrants.

[14:15:04] But at the same time, Fredricka, Donald Trump is dealing with a couple of controversies that he himself started. First was the birth certificate controversy which he tried to put to rest yesterday. Obviously Democrats and the Hillary Clinton campaign feels very strongly that he did not put this to rest, that he owes an apology to President Obama for saying for years that the president is not an American citizen.

And then on top of that last night Trump created a brand new controversy when he suggested that Hillary Clinton's protective detail of the Secret Service have their weapons taken away to, quote, "let's see what happens." It was sort of a crack on Clinton's position on guns. But here's more of what Trump had to say last night in Miami.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, she is very much against the Second Amendment. She wants to destroy your Second Amendment.

(BOOS) TRUMP: Guns, guns, guns, right? I think what we should do is she goes around with armed bodyguards like you have never seen before. I think that her bodyguards should drop all weapons. They should disarm, right? Right?

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: I think they should disarm immediately. What do you think, yes? Yes.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Take their guns away. She doesn't want guns. Take their -- let's see what happens to her. Take their guns away. It would be very dangerous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: And of course this is not the first time Trump has made these sorts of comments. The Clinton campaign Democrats basically accuse Trump of inciting violence with these remarks. Just let me know if you are look at these pictures on screen of whose up on stage there. Those are family members who say that their relatives were killed by undocumented immigrants. You can see they're wearing t-shirts that show the pictures of those family members. So this group, Fredricka, is really one that is tailor made for Donald Trump. He is going to speak to a group that very much supports his campaign. So we'll be hearing from him in just a few moments. And the big question of course, Fredricka, is whether or not he talks about immigration. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Jim Acosta, we'll check back with you. Thank you so much, appreciate that.

In the meantime, Trump's running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence has released a detailed medical record and a letter from an Indianapolis doctor saying the vice presidential candidate is in, quote, "excellent general and cardiovascular health." Pence does cardio exercise four times a week, mostly biking.

Joining us now to talk about all of this, Kelly Riddell, a Trump supporter and a "Washington Times" columnist. All right, good to see you, Kelly. I wonder how difficult it is becoming particularly for Trump supporters to try to defend or clarify when comments like the Secret Service, disarm them and seeing what happens, or Second Amendment people will take care of it. Does it become difficult to try to explain or clarify what is meant?

KELLY RIDDELL, POLITICAL COLUMNIST, "WASHINGTON TIMES": I think the last three weeks Donald Trump has been a very disciplined candidate. He went down to Mexico, met with the president down there, was very statesmanlike. He delivered many policies on immigration, national security, as well as unveiled his tax plan as well as child care.

WHITFIELD: Is it upstaged last night, the Secret Service? RIDDELL: I don't think he was really being upstaged. I think the

public hears one thing and the media hears another. I don't necessarily think that this was a big controversy.

WHITFIELD: What did you hear?

RIDDELL: He has said things like this before. He is basically pointing out the hypocrisy that Hillary Clinton stands for gun control and yet she is protected by these Secret Service agents with guns. And the NRA stance is that the first thing you do to stop a bad guy with a gun is have a good guy with a gun. And there are a lot of people in middle America, a lot of the Republicans who believe that, and that their self-defense is with their Second Amendment right to have a gun.

And so he was pointing that much, much like a lot of the elite in Washington, D.C. sent their children to these private schools that are all protected.

WHITFIELD: So you don't hear opening up a potential vulnerability, creating a potentially dangerous situation by Secret Service disarming and let her see what happens?

RIDDELL: That's what Secret Service is there for. He's just pointing out the hypocrisy of her gun control stance. If she really believes in the confiscation of guns and eliminating the Second Amendment, then she should have no problem with that. It's just pointing out the hypocrisy and being a little tongue-in-cheek about it.

WHITFIELD: And what do you expect the message to be today? Immigration has been a cornerstone of his campaign since announcing his candidacy June of 2015. Today he is at that luncheon. He will be speaking with the support of family members who lost family members from illegal immigrants or undocumented immigrants. What's the expectation today?

[14:20:00] RIDDELL: I think you will hear a lot of what you have heard before about building the law and enforcing some of the immigration practices that are currently on record, but, basically, you know, being more vigilant with them.

He is looking to solidify space. If you look at the polls, they have been tightening for Donald Trump. The reason they have been tightening for him is that he has been able to get out his base of support from Republican from about 70 percent to 80 percent now, rivaling that of what Hillary Clinton is. So you are seeing her speaking to her base, what will be one of her bases of support as well come November, because they need to make sure they have their bases in line in order to go forward.

WHITFIELD: Does it become concerning at all for the Trump camp when you have leading members of the GOP, today's latest, Robert Gates, while fairly non-political, or at least that has been the feeling for many years, former CIA director, et cetera, we have this "Wall Street Journal" op-ed today and essentially spell out why Donald Trump is unfit for presidency? He had criticisms for Hillary Clinton as well. But what's the feeling from the Trump camp? We know Donald Trump tweeted and essentially dismissed the real merit of these comments and even from the man himself. But overall how concerning, disconcerting, or --

RIDDELL: I think you saw this week or last week the CIA director, Bill Clinton's CIA director came on Donald Trump's team and is advising him on national security issues. I don't think it is much of a surprise to insiders in D.C. that Robert Gates, who is a neocon, is supporting Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a lot more hawkish when it comes to national security, and I think that's a concern with her progressive base, to be honest with you, because she is trying to put herself more in the dove category. But she has got people like Robert Gates in her corner. So I think that also could cause concern with her base.

WHITFIELD: Kelly Riddell, good to see you.

RIDDELL: Nice to see you.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much.

To learn more about the candidates personal lives, watch "The Essentials" starting tonight at 10:00 eastern. It begins with "Unfinished Business, Hillary Clinton's Story." And that's followed by "Trump's All Business," which starts a midnight, both airing tonight on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:25:50] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Lots of breaking news today. We're continuing to follow this breaking news out a Philadelphia. In just a few moments the city's police commissioner will hold a news conference on a shooting rampage. Here's what we know so far. A gunman with a reported hatred for police opened fire, killing a woman sitting in a car, shooting civilians and police before being shot dead. Two officers were among those injured.

I want to bring in CNN's Nick Valencia. So Nick, what more do we know about this gunmen, what provoked this, all of the circumstances?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Let's start with the press conference, Fred. Police commissioner Richard Ross expected to address the media in just about 20 minutes from now. Perhaps what we can expect to hear from the commissioner is officially naming who this gunman is. There have been a handful of local media outlets that have named this suspect, saying he is from local west Philadelphia. CNN has been unable so far to independently verify this person's identity.

We also could potentially hear more what was in this note that was found on the body of the gunman. It's been described as a rambling note. In it this gunman expresses hatred towards police officers as well probation officers. We know that this shooting happened at about 11:30 last night there in West Philadelphia, a police officer sitting in her car. No words were exchanged according to police reports between the gunman and the officer before he fired more than a dozen shots, hitting her in her left arm as well as her protective vest. He went on to shoot another police officers with the university police and injured four other civilians as he indiscriminately fired into a bar. One of those civilians was pronounced dead. Two others are critical condition. According to the police those officers are listed in stable condition. We are hoping to get more information on the gunman and exactly what transpired last night. Police commissioner again, there in Philadelphia, Richard Ross, expecting to address the media in about 20 minutes. Fred?

WHITFIELD: OK, and as and when that happens, we will of course take that. Thank you so much, Nick Valencia, appreciate that. That live press conference out of Philadelphia as soon as it happens to update us on this rampage. And we'll also have more on the other breaking news story we're following that explosive device that went off during an event. A 5k run for the Marine Corps from Seaside, New Jersey, reportedly -- no reported injuries, that is. All of that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:31:26] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was a member of the Australian ski team training for the 1988 winter Olympics in Calgary. And I was on a training with my fellow teammates when I was hit by a speeding truck and suffered extensive and life-threatening injuries.

Broken neck and back in six places. I broke my right arm, right collarbone, bones in my feet. My blood pressure was 40 over nothing. I had head injuries, internal injuries, and massive blood loss. I spent almost six months in a spinal war and left in a wheelchair and was told I would never be able to do the things that I did before. Everything that I valued in my life and all my goals were shattered.

I realized that I needed to find something to replace everything that I'd lost. That moment came for me when I was sitting outside and an airplane flew over. And I remembered looking up and thinking, well, that's it. If I can't walk, then maybe I can fly.

My first flight, I was actually covered in a plaster body cast. And I was lifted into the cockpit. Once I had been tough that first flight and I had tasted the freedom and the exhilaration of flying, that was it. I thought, I can do this. It became my entire life. I got my commercial pilot's license and my instructor rating. It was a completely unlikely but amazing journey. If I hadn't had my accident I wouldn't be the person I am today. And if I get to travel to the world and speak to people and not only share my story but hear their stories, which has really been an important part of my healing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And we're following this breaking news out of New Jersey. Bomb investigators telling us multiple pipe bombs were wired together, but only exploded in a trash can near a Marine charity 5k run in the beach front town of Seaside Park.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DELLA FAVE: I have been told anywhere from two to three additional pipe bomb type devices that were wired together to the initial explosion that went off. Again, that won't be specifically able to say until the investigation continues. What the intentions are of the individual we don't know at this point, whether it is criminal or terroristic. It is obvious it was meant to affect the run, the fact that it went off at 9:35.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Bomb-sniffing dogs are still searching for additional devices. Fortunately, the race was delayed and then later canceled, so no runners were in the area when the trash can exploded. The area remains on lockdown. The public is urged to stay away.

Also, an update on a story we have been following. An Ohio man suspected of being a serial killer is behind bars after the woman he allegedly was holding captive managed to dial 911 for help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there any way you can get out of the building?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know without waking him. And I'm scared.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there a bathroom in the house?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His bedroom is closed and he made it so it would make noise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you told him you had to go to the bathroom, he would do something to you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, because he had me tied up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: After the arrest, police say they found the bodies of three other women. Now the suspect is being held on $1 million bail. CNN's Rachel Crane is following the investigation in Ashland, Ohio. So Rachel, the suspect made a surprising admission, did he not, when he learned about his bail amount?

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's correct, Fred. When told about the $1 million bail amount and the conditions of his bail, that he is not able to contact his surviving victim in any way, shape, or form, not even through a third party, he was eerily calm and said, "sounds fair."

[14:35:03] Now, Fred, behind me, this is the home that the caller was being held captive in, this abandoned home here. She was held for nearly three days before she made that harrowing 911 call you just heard. Now, when authorities arrived on the scene, they found the remains of two women. They have been identified as Elizabeth Griffith and Stacy Stanley.

Now, Grate also led authorities to a second location where the remains of a third body was found. That body has not been identified. Authorities tell us that could take over a month. Grate has not yet been charged in that case because that body has not yet been identified. His arraignment is scheduled for first thing Monday morning. And his defense attorney tells us that he expects to plead not guilty to the count of kidnapping and also those two counts of murder. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right, terribly disturbing. Rachel Crane, thank you so much for that report.

In the meantime, we are awaiting a news conference out of Philadelphia. Police will have an update on last night's shooting rampage that left a woman dead and two officers injure. The gunman reportedly harbored a hatred for police. We will bring you that news conference as it happens. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump hits back against former secretary of defense Robert Gates after a scathing assessment that Trump is, quote, "beyond repair," end quote.

[14:40:07] In a "Wall Street Journal" op-ed Gates writes that Trump is, quote, "stubbornly uninformed about the world and how to lead our country and government and temporarily unsuited to lead our men and women in uniform," end quote. Trump responded on Twitter this way, saying, quote, "I never met former defense secretary, Robert Gates. He knows nothing about me. But look at the results under his guidance -- a total disaster," end quote.

So Gates also raising major questions about Hillary Clinton, insisting that she still needs to address trustworthiness with voters. Let's bring in CNN military analyst, retired Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona. All right, good to see you, welcome. So Robert Gates very critical of the Obama administration after he left the Pentagon. Now he is talking about an assessment that is less than complimentary of two people running for an office that is highest in the land. So what do you suppose was the real impetus here, and how much will the words of Robert Gates have in this type of equation right now?

LT. COL. RICK FRANCONA (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, I'll take the last part first. Robert Gates is very well-respected in both the military and the intelligence community. So I suspect that a lot of people are going to take heed when he makes these kinds of statements.

When I read the article, this was an absolute great rundown of the problems the next president is going to face. He laid it out quite clearly. And then decided to talk about Mr. Trump and then Mrs. Clinton. It looks to me like he is giving Mrs. Clinton some advice on how she cannot be beyond repair, how she can repair her credibility.

But, Fred, I've got to tell you, I think a lot of people are going to pay heed when someone like Robert Gates comes out and almost going into the never Trump campaign.

WHITFIELD: So one of the key arguments from this op-ed is that Clinton or Trump haven't really addressed how they each think about the military in his assessment, in fact, saying this, quote, "Both candidates have spelled out how they would deal with ISIS and terrorism more broadly. But their approach in essence sounds like what President Obama is doing now with more ideological fervor and some additional starch."

So we kind of -- how would you fill in the blanks there, because I feel like there have been other analysts who have said they have heard a tone of Donald Trump's language saying the military needs some work essentially, and Hillary Clinton's assessment of the U.S. military. So how do you read what Robert Gates is saying here?

FRANCONA: Well, I think he is right when he talks about ISIS. Both candidates have basically said they are going to continue the current strategy. They might change their tactics a little bit. I know Mr. Trump wants to ramp up some of the things we're doing. Mrs. Clinton has said, of course, no more boots on the ground. So I think they are talking the same sheet of music just maybe using different notes.

But the other things that he brings up, the China, the North Korea, Russia, they've got to come up with some coherent policy, especially in the Middle East. He just lays out exactly all the problems they are going to face. But he also comes out and says there is no coherent strategy from either one of them. They're both going to have to come up with something. I think we are going to hear this in the debates. That's what I'm going to be listening for.

WHITFIELD: Those debates just one week away. Where is the time going? We are really almost upon it.

Gates also talking about Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Trump's, quote, "expressions of admiration." Here is an example.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If he says great things about me, I am going to say great things about him. I've already said he is really very much a leader. You can say, oh, isn't that a terrible thing. The man has very strong control over a country. It is a very different system and I don't happen to like that system. But certainly in that system he has been a leader far more than our president has been a leader.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And then of course Gates is saying that neither Trump nor Clinton have really expressed how they would deal with Putin. But he also says remarks like the one we just heard from Trump are, quote, "naive and irresponsible." Do you agree with him?

FRANCONA: I don't think irresponsible. I think maybe naive.

But I think if you do an assessment of Vladimir Putin, you have to agree with certain things that Trump says. But if he thinks that we are going to able to cooperate with the Russians, and I'll use the ceasefire in Syria as an example, we have a long way to go before we can start cooperating with Russians, especially the way they are conducting their foreign policy. Give Putin his credit, though. He saw the situation in Syria and he intervened to carry out his national interest. And I think that's what Mr. Trump was alluding to, that he actually saw a need and reacted accordingly. Now, we don't agree with that reaction, but you have to respect him for making a decision.

[14:45:09] WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona. It was good to see you, appreciate it.

FRANCONA: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Meantime we are awaiting a press conference out of Philadelphia. You see the scene is set right there. Police will have an update on last night's shooting rampage that left a woman dead and two officers injured. The gunman reportedly harbored a hatred for police. We will bring you that news conference as it happens. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We are waiting for this press conference to unfold there in Philadelphia. You're seeing the live shot location there. We're hoping to hear more information about this terrifying shooting rampage that happened last night. A woman is dead and two officers injured. We will, of course, bring that press conference to you as it happens. We know that officials have already said that the suspect had a certain disdain for police officers. We hope to hear more about the suspect, again, the suspect dead, for more on the investigation.

Meantime, as Democratic heavyweights hit the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton, she is hoping two very popular Democrats can help give her a much-needed boost in attracting voters. Tonight, President Obama will join Hillary Clinton at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner here in Washington D.C. Earlier this week the president campaigned for Clinton in Philadelphia while she recovered from pneumonia.

[14:50:04] The first lady, Michelle Obama, also stumping for Clinton yesterday, holding a rally in the battleground state of Virginia. Clinton is hoping the popularity of the first family rubs off on her. Polls show the president with more than 51 percent of Americans approving of how he is handling does his job. That number has risen steadily in recent months and is much higher among Democrats.

CNN's national politics reporter M.J. Lee joining us now with more on this and how Hillary Clinton is hoping to capitalize on the Obama effect starting with this evening. M.J.?

M.J. LEE, CNN NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER: Yes, Fred. As far as surrogates go, it really doesn't get any better than the Obamas for Hillary Clinton. We saw President Obama fill in for her when she was sick. He is someone that really has this unique ability to be her surrogate and her spokesperson. He can speak about her and her qualifications as the current sitting president. He can especially talk about her foreign policy background and the work that she did for him as secretary of state. He can obviously also talk about the fact that they were former rivals. He has often said, publicly talked about that experience and learning about just what kind of a fighter that she is. And lastly, he can obviously speak about her as a personal friend and bring more of a personal touch to the campaign trail.

And as you mentioned, President Barack Obama is not Obama that is campaigning for Hillary Clinton. We have seen Michelle Obama be more willing to campaign for the Democratic nominee. Take a listen to a bit of what she said yesterday and she was campaigning for Hillary Clinton in Fairfax, Virginia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE OBAMA, U.S. FIRST LADY: I am inspired by her persistence and her consistency, by her heart and her guys. And I am inspired by her lifelong record of public service. No one in our lifetime has ever had as much experience and exposure to the presidency, not Barack, not Bill, as he would say, nobody. And yes, she happens to be a woman.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: A very popular speech from a very popular first lady. Of course, Fred, the big event we are watching for tonight is the Congressional Black Caucus where both President Obama and Hillary Clinton will be. Obama of course will be using that stage to make his case again for why he wants Clinton to be his successor. Fred?

JOHNSON: M.J. Lee, thank you so much, appreciate that.

And tomorrow, Hillary Clinton's running mate Senator Tim Kaine will be on "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper. That interview airs 9:00 a.m. eastern Sunday right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:56:42] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. We are awaiting a news conference out of Philadelphia. Police will have an update on last night's shooting rampage that left a woman dead and two officers injured. The gunman reportedly harbored a hatred for police. We will bring that news conference to you as soon as it happens. Stay with us.

And of course it is that time of year again. We are shifting gears quite considerably here. It is awards season. The 68th annual Emmy Awards airs this Sunday. The "Game of Thrones" is expected to possibly win big yet again. Here is CNN's Stephanie Elam with a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need more votes for you, ma'am.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think?

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And elections.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People do admire me, Johnny.

ELAM: And O.J.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't do it, John.

ELAM: The Emmy Awards celebrate the year's biggest achievements in television. All this year's nominees couldn't be more varied.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My reign has just begun.

ELAM: All eyes are on "Game of Thrones." The HBO saga is the most nominated program of the night with 23 total noms.

MICHAEL O'CONNELL, SENIOR WRITER, "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER": It is pretty much a forgone conclusion that "Game of Thrones" is going to reign supreme on Emmy night.

ELAM: "Throne" vies for its second consecutive best drama series win, facing against "The American," "Better Call Saul," "Downton Abbey," "Homeland," "House of Cards," and newcomer, "Mr. Robot." In an election year, perhaps it is no coincidence the White House hijinks of "Veep" are ruling the comedy side. The Julia Louis-Dreyfus led show nabbed 17 nominations.

O'CONNELL: Everyone loved the last season, and I think it's a favorite to win comedy.

ELAM: But "Veep" has tough competition for best comedy series with "Blackish," "Modern Family," "Silicon Valley," "Transparent," and Netflix favorites, "Master of None" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." With 22 nominations, "The People Versus O.J. Simpson" is the one to watch in the limited series categories. The critically acclaimed drama stars Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as the trouble plagued former athlete.

O'CONNELL: I honestly think that the Emmys will be like the formal coronation for "The People Versus O.J. Simpson." No show has been more talked about or universally praised.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: History's greatest invention is this, the television.

ELAM: And for the second time as MC, Jimmy Kimmel will host the small screen's biggest night. Expect the late night comedian to let the zinger's fly.

O'CONNELL: I think that everyone is fair game and people will be mercilessly mocked.

ELAM: We will find out who has the last laugh at the 68 Primetime Emmy Award.

Stephanie Elam, CNN, Hollywood.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, of course it will promise to be a great night tomorrow night.

Thank you so much. That's going to do it for me. I'll be back in Atlanta tomorrow. Thanks for joining me today in Washington, D.C. Up next, more CNN Newsroom with Poppy Harlow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN breaking news.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: It's 3:00 eastern, I'm Poppy Harlow in New York. And we do begin with breaking news this hour ought of Philadelphia. A gunman with a reported hatred of law enforcement going on a rampage, one person is dead, two police officers and three civilians injured in this rampage.

[15:00:00] And right now we are waiting on a news conference from Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Jr.